Andre Johnson was not surprised by Case Keenum's NFL debut on Sunday. Despite the loss, Keenum passed for 271 yards and one touchdown, in the most yards ever by a Texans quarterback in a first start with the team. Johnson saw Keenum's ability to be a playmaker back in the preseason, maybe even sooner.
"I wasn't surprised about it," Johnson said. "You always see flashes from players in practice, preseason and different situations throughout the season. What he did during the preseason and the things you see from him in practice, the guy, he creates plays at times when things aren't there. Like I said before, there's just something about him. He did a great job."
Johnson remembered one particular play in Sunday's game. After scrambling around in the backfield, Keenum was able to find Johnson for a 42-yard completion in the third quarter, Johnson's longest catch of the season.
"I think when you have plays like that, it turns into school yard football," Johnson said. "That's pretty much what that play was. I saw him rolling back towards me and I couldn't really run the way I was running because there was nothing there but the sideline so I just turned up field and he saw me and threw it."
The eleven-year veteran receiver also caught the Keenum's first ever NFL pass attempt, a 10-yard completion, for a first down. Keenum connected with six different receivers, including Johnson who finished with four receptions for 89 yards.
"He went into a hostile environment and played well," Johnson said. "I'm pretty sure a lot of people were thinking he wouldn't come out and perform the way he performed. I think he handled himself like a pro. I think he did a great job."
